A police van was set on fire and officers were injured in disorder outside a Southport mosque – with chaos erupting following a knife attack that left three girls dead in the Merseyside town.
A crowd of men, many of them wearing masks and hoodies, fought a running battle with police outside the mosque this evening – with chants of “English until I die” heard before the violence began.
Police said they believe the men are part of the far-right English Defense League.
The disorder comes after Home Secretary Yvette Cooper urged social media users not to spread “false information” about Monday’s attack or the suspect online.
A 17-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with stabbings at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event. However, police have not confirmed his identity due to his age and there is no suggestion he is Muslim.
Latest news from Southport: Follow live updates
Merseyside Police said a large group of people began throwing objects at the mosque in St Luke’s Road at around 7.45pm this evening.
Officers later donned helmets and riot gear as bottles and trash cans were thrown at them.
A police officer broke a suspect’s nose and one of the force’s vans was set on fire.
The force said additional patrols were later sent to the scene, including a canine unit.
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